A residential home fire in Belleview required more than 40 firefighters and 16 units to get under control Saturday afternoon.

  • More than 40 firefighters, 16 units respond to Belleview house fire
  • Sole occupant escaped from home on SE 121st Place
  • Crews said heavy winds fueled the intense fire

Marion County Fire Rescue received a 911 call at about 3:45 p.m. about a fire on the 6000 block of SE 121st Place. The caller said heavy smoke and flames were coming from a neighbor's house, and explosions could be heard from vehicles near the house.

The caller was also concerned that they hadn't seen the resident come out.

The first firefighters arrived on scene less than 5 minutes after the call and found the 1,100 square-foot, concrete-block home about 50 percent involved, with several adjacent vehicles on fire.

At that point, the sole occupant of the home escaped on his own.

Marion firefighters said heavy winds contributed to the intensity of the fire, which they got under control just after 5:30 p.m.

One firefighter was taken to an area hospital for a minor injury. In all, 41 firefighters battled the blaze.

The state fire marshal is investigating.